September 11 is not a court holiday in the United States at either the federal or state level. It is officially designated as Patriot Day, a national day of remembrance. Federal courts, and overwhelmingly state courts, remain open and operational. The judiciary observes the legal public holidays established by federal law, such as New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
The distinction lies between a legal public holiday and a national day of observance. A legal holiday, as defined by federal statute (5 U.S.C. 6103) and corresponding state laws, mandates the closure of government offices, including courts. In contrast, Patriot Day was established by presidential proclamation as a day for remembrance and national service. This designation encourages commemorative acts, such as flying the flag at half-staff, but it does not carry the legal authority to close government functions. Therefore, court schedules, filing deadlines, and procedural timelines are not statutorily suspended on this date as they are for designated legal holidays.
In practice, all judicial business proceeds as scheduled on September 11. Litigants and attorneys must adhere to all deadlines for filing documents and must appear for any scheduled hearings, trials, or other court proceedings. While individual courthouses or judges may hold a moment of silence or organize a commemorative event to honor the victims, these activities do not interrupt or suspend the court's official operations. Consequently, the date is treated as a regular business day within the American legal system.
